Don Julio Blanco Tequila

Rating: 15/23 Nose: Mellow. Less of that briny, tart agave character found in many tequilas. This presents more as papery and smoky with some odd roast meat. A hint of chili powder. I do detect some agave and also just a little bit of grass. Wow, that's mostly what I'm getting. I don't remember this dram tasting like this at all. Palate: Savory with a meatiness that borders on rotting but doesn't quite reach it. A touch of smoke. Papery. Sweet canned pineapple. Some grass and a bit of lime. It's somewhat oily too. Some prickly spices. There's a lot going on here. It's good, but can be a bit challenging at times with its meatiness. And it's certainly not a typical tequila profile. It is fairly rich and full, though. Finish: Paper and pineapple are the dominant flavors here. Bits of roast meat with light smoke appear at times. Very faint herbal notes linger in the finish. I really appreciate the papery finish here. It's a bit unusual, but it's somewhat pleasing. - Conclusion - This really doesn't match how I recall it. It's funkier and more difficult to rate. I'm inclined to rank 7 Leguas Blanco higher than this, though not by a significant margin. They are very different styles, naturally. There's a slightly more direct bitter flavor here, strangely. Side-by-side, Partida Añejo (15/23) also likely surpasses this. The Partida is more balanced. This has some off-notes that most blancos lack, so there are other concerns here. This sort of masks them, however, with its...paper flavor. It's funky, but not entirely in a positive way. Still, I can't help but enjoy it. It might be a daring tequila choice, but I generally prefer that anyway. There's a touch too much sulphur, but it's very slight and integrates well with the roast meat. I'm definitely assigning this a 14, but I might increase it to a 15. Yes, this can be a 15. I'm no longer completely sure that Partida Añejo is better than this.

This presents a surprising amount of the mild woody character found in Don Julio 1942. It's sweet with a hint of spice and a significant herbal note (including coriander), supported by some light caramelized cotton candy. The flavors harmonize well, and it has a decent depth. This is a sippable tequila suitable for cocktails. It has fewer elements than Cabeza Blanco. It possesses a mineral terroir reminiscent of Herradura Silver, but this one is less intense, slightly sweeter, and smoother. It has that signature Don Julio smoothness. It's quite good, but in an unusual way that likely wouldn't make it my first selection. The aroma is surprisingly leathery, with minimal spice. There's a subtle fruitiness, though difficult to identify. When comparing the two, I favor Cabeza Blanco for its greater complexity. That sweet, cardboard-like Don Julio taste is present and makes it quite enjoyable. It's somewhat fruity with underlying spice and some peculiar herbal notes that give it a Don Julio profile. You can't go too wrong with this tequila. It's fairly creamy with a noticeable but not overwhelming bite. It has minerals, but pleasantly so. Vanilla and floral notes are present. Its richness is creamy, not meaty. Some earth and a touch of smoke balance the minerals nicely, bringing herbal notes that avoid tasting medicinal. The flavor isn't particularly sweet, but it also lacks intense alcohol bitterness. This is a very good tequila, though not a profound example. Despite its relative boldness and bitterness, the fruit and strong elements of Cabeza make it more appealing.

The best blanco tequila I’ve ever had. Pricey for a blanco ($54 in MI), but a true sipping blanco is hard to find under this price. What you get for the extra money are richer, more balanced flavors and more intense aroma. Nose: a rush of intense vegetal and fruity agave with milder citrus & floral aromas. Mouth-feel: Silky, viscous. Most other blancos are thin compared to this one. Palate: Well-balanced, low-moderate to moderate sweetness, with rich flavors that match the aromas, at an intensity on par with many reposados. Finish: Medium-length, with the only flaw (for me, anyway) being a little sizzle of heat at the end.

Spicy and herbal. The tequila is quite spicy and has a strong agave taste. Minor notes include: it's more oily than I anticipated; I actually detect a hint of lemon. The finish is smooth and sweet with a final spice kick. I love this tequila in margaritas. It complements the lime and orange liqueur exceptionally well. It introduces an herbal and spicy note to the drink that would otherwise be missing. At approximately $40, each Margarita you make costs about $2.50. That's quite expensive, but it's worth it. You really only need two per night, and then you can switch to a less expensive option.

A very nice, strong roasted agave aroma. The flavor had a distinct herbal quality along with some spice/peppery notes. The agave flavor becomes apparent at the end, adding balance. This is one of the superior blancos I've tried. It's perfect for margaritas and possibly neat if you like it. In my opinion, I'll save sipping for the higher-end añejo versions. The price is quite high for this type of spirit, though. You are definitely paying for the brand name. I would suggest getting Espolòn Blanco. It's more budget-friendly and comparable to this Don Julio.

Sweet, Spicy, and Citrus The initial taste is sweetness, light and bright. Soon after, I notice a spiciness, similar to what you'd get from rye. I then detect a citrus note, like orange or lemon juice, but this only appears sometimes, when paired with something else I'm eating or drinking. Finally, the agave is present throughout; it's not overpowering, but it's there and blends well. This is good. As I mentioned in a previous review, the spiciness becomes prominent when mixed in a margarita.